{-Lyrei-}

When they reunited, Kaylin looked grumpier than usual, and Rennyn’s only acknowledgement of them was a brief glance. Lyrei guessed then and there they’d either found something while they were out, or they had an argument… though it could’ve been both, judging from what she’d seen so far. She was just about to ask them about it, but Kaylin prompted the conversation first.

“So, did you three learn anything?” she asked. “Any information on Lady Mira’s whereabouts is better than none.”

“We definitely learned that we should take care of this as quickly as we can…” Noa mumbled. “The guy we talked to mentioned what they might do if Lady Mira’s not safe and it’s… not good. Certainly not something Empress Shaerra is going to agree with anytime soon…”

“He also mentioned that Lady Mira had gone back to the capital after spending some time here,” Seldir added. “Our next best place to try is probably going to be there.”

Rennyn mumbled something, but it didn’t seem like he was completely listening to what they were talking about. A part of him must’ve; his frown deepened when he heard what Noa had to say. But otherwise, he looked like he was completely unaware of all of them, mumbling something that was just barely understandable.

“Well, then, I see little point in waiting,” Kaylin decided. “We should start heading to the capital again. Let’s keep an ear out for any helpful rumors or anyone it might be good to talk to, then we can see if King Merith is able to talk tomorrow morning.”

…

They took the longer route back to the capital, taking the time to visit a few surrounding villages on their way back. There, they heard the same thing as anywhere else; Lady Mira had given them hope for a better future, they were more than willing to stand up for that future if need be, and they last heard that she was heading back to the capital.

Also on the way there, they caught each other up on what they’d done. Kaylin explained bits and pieces of how they encountered Viragi, and how Rennyn annoyed someone named Cettia trying to get her to talk about him. Rennyn didn’t say anything in his defense—it, frankly, didn’t even seem like he was listening at all. Then, Seldir—with some interjections from Lyrei—detailed what they’d done and heard. Noa didn’t say a lot at that point; he probably acknowledged that whatever peacekeeping methods they had in Ilatenes, it undoubtedly wasn’t going to work here.

By the time they got back, it was already getting late, so they simply decided to head to the inn for the night. There wasn’t much they could do until King Merith was ready to talk anyway, and that would be another day or two from now.

It was, though, what they were all thinking about first thing in the morning.

“Do you think he’s done all those meetings now?” Lyrei prompted.

Seldir shrugged. “A part of it sounded like he just didn’t want to deal with us. We probably won’t know until we get there.”

“He’s not making a very good case for himself,” Kaylin mumbled. “He said he didn’t know where she was, and he hadn’t been the one to call for it, but…”

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Renyn was the only one of them who was standing up, who also hadn’t bothered to eat anything yet. Lyrei had nearly thought he wasn’t paying attention at all until he muttered, “We can never be too sure. I wouldn’t put it past him, judging by what else we know…”

Nervously, Noa said, “But we won’t know until we try, right? Asking him directly is probably about the only way we’re going to get an answer…”

They all gave mutual signs of agreement, and it wasn’t long before they were all ready to head to the castle. Lyrei, for one, liked to imagine that the silence was because they, too, were trying to remind themselves that they were here for something very important… and that, no matter how much she wanted to, she couldn’t appreciate every little detail of the castle. Besides, if they played their cards right, they might be able to get permission to roam around for clues later…

As soon as they got to the gates, Rennyn walked up to one of the guards and explained, “I’m Rennyn and these are my companions. We talked with King Merith yesterday and we wanted to see if he was ready for another audience today.”

The guards looked between each other, then shrugged.

“Didn’t one of the advisors ask that we keep an eye out for that kid?” one of them asked.

“I dunno, I was only half listening. Someone like that doesn’t usually deserve my attention,” the other replied. “Pretty sure they’re still here. Does one of us want to go and make sure?”

“I, for one, don’t want to get yelled at. You go do it. I’ve got a family event this afternoon and I’m not going to risk being put on night duty.”

“Fine. But you better come back tomorrow with a piece of cake or something for me.”

Then he opened the gate just enough for him to enter, and sulked on into the castle.

The attitude of the guards tended to say a lot about a place, from Lyrei’s “observations.” And seeing them like that—practically drawing lots—definitely didn’t make her feel any better about who they worked for. Merith practically radiated the air of someone that would deserve every little thing that happened to him.

But that wasn’t their fight, and she knew it was stupid for them to try. Something like that rested in the hands of the people of Astiri, though she was sure they’d make the right decision in the end. While they did that, the five of them would stop Dhymos, so that everyone had their happily ever after.

In a couple of minutes, the guard returned. This time, he held the gate open and said, “The advisors say you’re all allowed to come in. I’m to show you where they are and then return to my station. Let’s get this done quickly—none of them are the patient sort.”

They all followed the guard back into the castle and through the halls, until he abruptly stopped at one of the doors.

“This is their meeting room,” he announced. “Rennyn, was it? Go on and knock. I’ve got to get back.”

Then, before anything else could be done or said, the guard walked away again.

Rennyn went up to the door and did as the guard instructed. After a moment, there was a loud sigh, and the voice of Merith calling, “Who is it now?”

“It’s Rennyn. We were told we could talk.”

“Well, then, come in. We don’t have all day.”

So Rennyn pushed the door open, holding it until all the others had entered.

Merith, and the remaining three members of his council, were all sitting down near the end of a long table. The king looked between the five of them like he was holding back another sigh, then gestured to the seats closest to them. “Go on and sit down, I suppose. No point in you standing there.” Once they’d done that, he explained, “Now, the council members know of you five, but you don’t know the council. These are Lords Luses, Vadur, and Elo.”

They each gave a grumble at their name. Then Vadur grew a not-so-friendly smile and asked, “Let’s pool our knowledge to try to find little Lady Mira, shall we?”